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Starting a New Fraternity or Sorority Chapter
Hello all, I love reading through our GreekChat Forum, and I have read through it for years. Sometimes I find the information throughout so useful.
I started this thread because I am a Past National President of an NIC Fraternity. I served in that position for 7 years, and I have also been a college professor at several campuses. So I understand Greek Life both from the campus's and national organization's perspectives. I wanted to be a help to any of our Non-Greek friends out there who are interested in getting more information on starting a chapter of a fraternity or sorority. I have the experience with many campuses, and felt maybe there should be some place on here where questions could be answered for Non-Greeks who want to be Greek as well. I also have no problem discussing the most basic stuff you need to discuss, and I am sure my fellow Greeks on GreekChat will help as well. After all, the more Non-Greeks who become Fraternity and Sorority Members, the better of a public relations statement we are making for the entire Greek System. |
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I hear ya Knight, there is already "resources" but sometimes the questions are a lot deeper then just links can answer! "Before you Found a New sorority" is also geared at women and I'm talking about both men and women.
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If you've read through GreekChat for years, then you know:
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MysticCat,
I know it gets asked and answered...last time a non-Greek posted a question/thread of their own was 2007. So I figured why not allow the questions to be asked? I know that Greeks sometimes view expansion as "dangerous" to the survival of other groups on campus as well, and that's why it get's met with so much resistance "Don't fall into founderitis" to quote another thread. To answer your point 2, expansion doesn't "vary widely" there are standard norms that exist within each type of GLO (depending on umbrella group), and on your point 3 the question is campus specific, but campuses don't always just "invent" policies. Many, many times they copy the campuses near or around them OR the campuses that they want fashion their Greek system like. Believe me there is a lot out there that can be answered and lot of things to discuss in the way of outreach to non-Greeks. If you don't like the thread, you can always not follow it. Thank you for your input. Best, TauDelt |
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I think giving input is great. Most of us do that anyway. Just realize that 1) this type of thread isn't new and 2) there isn't a solution that works for every GLO. If you are a past president of a NIC fraternity, then give advice in one of the NIC threads that pops up. |
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And yes, policies can vary widely even within umbrella groups. For example, some groups expand aggressively while others do so very conservatively. BTW, the old "if you don't like the thread, you can just not follow it" response gets old fast. If you don't want responses, don't start a thread. |
Thanks for the Advice Knight, I am going by 'similar threads' located at the bottom of the page...look at the years.
No, there's not a solution for every GLO. I realize that. At the same time, there are alternatives that may work for someone starting a new organization. There's also a lot of factors that have to be dealt with by individuals who are starting new groups: the frustration of the Greek System already present; the difficulty in recruiting when you've never done it before; the different lingo that we Greeks use; the way that campus admins respond to new GLOs. Even the differences between an NPHC, NIC, NAPIA or other organization. I'm not saying I have every answer, but I am saying we should host an environment that allows those questions to be answered without the usual "don't start a new org, join mine" mentality. Thanks for your posts today. Best, TauDelt |
Mystic,
Yes some orgs expand rapidly and aggressively and some expand slowly, I agree with you, but the process is what I was talking about. I wasn't trying to pick a fight, I'm sorry if my comment was something you didn't like. It wasn't my attempt. Thanks, TauDelt |
It's great to know we have a resource with this level of background information, and it may seem like some of the posters here are pretty jaded, but if you follow this site from, say, August to October (when most rushes happen), you'll find all kinds of threads about expansion, colonies and the dreaded I want to start my own sorority/fraternity. There are several pat answers that should work in virtually every case. If there is an established Greek system on your campus, you need to start with them. If there is not an established Greek system on your campus, you should probably start researching the organizations that you think you'd like to start, and contact them. THIS would be where you might be able to help. A guy wants to start a chapter of a fraternity and there are none on his campus. He can talk to you and get advice about how to move forward.
But even with your level of expertise, I would counsel against any girl who wants to start an NPC sorority chapter from going to you. My fear is all you would accomplish is getting her hopes up, when NPC colonization is a very fixed process. Now, maybe you could help her if she goes to a school with no NPC sororities, but if a girl from, god forbid, Arkansas contacts you, all you would be able to accomplish is opening up a huge kettle of fish. Yes, it needs to expand, yes every NPC sorority is aware of this, and yes, they (likely) have all been approached by Arkansas. So what could you possibly tell her, other than buy a house that can sleep 100, and then go shopping for an NPC chapter to put in it? On the other hand, if you have gossip to share about colonies and expansions, I'd love to hear it! We have a great thread for that already in place. |
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DubaiSis and AnotherKD...thanks for the responses. Dubai, I think you are partly right...I think that different situations call for different things. For example, if a girl who wanted to found an NPC organization on campus but couldn't because of the campus policies, greenbook policies, etc. There are alternatives out there. There are about 5 or 6 sororities that aren't NPC, but have all the features of an NPC organization. They are older orgs as well, BUT for one reason or another NPC has never opened the tradegroup to them. They are valid alternatives to NPC groups. This is JUST an example of how someone who has national experience knows the options that are out there.
As far as the fact that there are other people who "have this thread" that's fine, I will be a copy-cat, it doesn't bother me...at the bottom of MY page it says similar threads were posted in 2008, 2007, 2004, etc. There should be a thread, heck maybe even a FORUM dedicated to people who want to be Greek and need the information to get there. Not trying to be back and forth here... |
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TauDelt1910,
Do you think fraternity life is at a peak or in a valley right now? |
I hear ya MysticCat, perhaps that means this one will be more easily found!
Senusret, according to the statistics I've seen, Greek Life has been slowly increasing over the last several years. However, at many particular campuses, it is a system in decline. The struggle of fraternities for fraternities during the 1970's, which was the last drastic period of decline, was to stay relevant to students. I think for good or for bad fraternities continue to face that hurdle. The hurdle that comes along with that today is that fraternities need to stay "relevant" to their host campuses. So to boil it down, I don't think they are in a valley, but I definitely think we have more work to do to ensure that our organizations are aligned with our values in order to reach that peak. |
Thanks for responding!
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As we often say here, "the Search function is your friend," but the typical person who comes here looking to start a new fraternity or sorority -- whether a local or a chapter -- doesn't do a search but rather posts a new thread and gets relevant answers in that thread. Often, these posters come here wanting to know how to start a chapter of a particular GLO. (See this from this past April, for example.) Sometimes they want to start Greek life on a campus with none, sometimes just they want a new option. Sometimes their reasons are valid, sometimes not so much. I'm not in any way trying to say we shouldn't be as helpful as we can be in providing the kind of information you describe as appropriate. You're quite right about that. I'm just saying that it's already happening, and I doubt that the way it's happening is likely to change, even if we try to say "This thread is the place to ask about starting a new GLO." |
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Yes you are. Stop it. |
taudelt1910,
Could you explain the difference between "governance" and "management" - if you believe there is a difference - when it comes to leading a national Greek letter organization? |
No problem!
If any visitors out there are interested in starting a new fraternity or sorority...feel free to ask your quesions away. Thanks, TauDelt |
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Aren't you trying to get a new organization off the ground? (Or a relatively new organization?)
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I am the Executive Director of Gamma Xi Phi Professional Arts Fraternity, so yes, it's new. But I was just making conversation since dude seemed like he was making himself available. But that's fine, we have a great board of trustees. Plus, I'm awesome on a standalone basis.
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Ok, let me start at the beginning...
Senusret, I wasn't ignoring your post. I had posted a quick reply to MysticCat and hadn't yet seen your post come in. I apologize if my actions in some way offended you. I did not intend to ignore your valid question. That being said, the difference between governance and management isn't really fundamental. Management is an extension of governance, especially in a Greek organization. Many times Greek Organizations differentiate between Policy and Governance and operate in a policy/governance model. Policy is left up to the Organization's board of directors and the actual implementation (governance) of policy is left up to the Administration (usually paid) of the fraternity or sorority in question. To give an easy example, The board makes it a policy that all new colonies have to meet the following standards (A,B, & C), it is up to the administration (the Executive Director) to implement the policy how he sees fit and to check that all new groups meet A, B, & C standards in any way that he chooses so long as he conforms to the policy. Governance is the broader aspect of project management. I've found that when leading a fraternity, you can't always be a project manager, but need to think of the overall impact on the whole organization, thus governance of the whole group. AmIBlue, when I say that they are a "valid alternative" it's not at all an insulting comment. It is the truth! They have many of the characteristics of NPC groups, but are not in the NPC. I don't know how else you would describe that. AlphaFrog, there are hard and fast rules to joining the NPC. Unfortunately, for whatever reason no new organiztion has been able to conform to those standards since 1951. I am not criticizing the NPC, they have their reasons for not opening up to new organizations. However, I think you are casting aspersions when you say that women's organizaitons who ARE NOT NPC are less safe or are someway deficient. MysticCat, You disapprove of this thread. I understand that, it's ok, I will continue it anyway. It's great to have a forum where we can all disagree. |
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The problem with the usage of "valid alternative" to NPC is the implication that NPC orgs are everyone's first choice; therefore non-NPC orgs are second best.
Clearly, this is not the case. |
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Dude, you should have just stayed in your lane. I wouldn't dream of advising men about how to start a fraternity chapter. Same goes for you and sororities. While fraternities and sororities are GLOs, they are definitely two different beasts.
Since you posted your contact info on the other thread, I checked out your fraternity's website. As it appears that your organization is really focused on expansion, best of luck in growing your fraternity. |
He seems to be trying to sell his fraternity to anyone who is interested. That would not seem so desperate and lame if this was not done via Greekchat/Internet.
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Really Rude
I am really shocked at how Rude you all are. Definitely a demonstration of Greek Unity.
I don't have to "stay in my own lane." I can have an opinion...this is the United States. I am not just advertising my own fraternity, we have an expansion program, and in the last three years we have doubled the size of our organization. I figured, as an educator--as is my background, that it would be a good idea to host a thread for people who want to become Greek but don't know how. You all disagree, that's fine. All I asked you to do was to "stop hating" as the kids say, lol. But, even that is impossible. It seems as though you want to take ANYTHING I say and make it controversial. Are you really that scared of people starting new chapters? I embrace the idea of people starting new chapters regardless of whether it is mine or another organization. If you guys want to use this thread to fight, I can fight with you all day. I have a lot of experience in Greek Life, and while some of you are talking out of your.... I find this totally entertaining. Yes, I did post on that other post my contact info. I figured it might be easier for the kid to ask questions via email before being told "don't fall into the founderitis syndrome..." |
It's ok...you can take your ball and go home. We'll make due with Wii Golf. ;)
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My ball isn't going anywhere AlphaFrog. Don't you worry!
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It is best to "stay in your lane" when giving advice about GLO expansion. The procedures for bringing a new NPHC chapter vs bringing a new NIC chapter vs bringing a new NALFO chapter, etc. are very different. This is what folks are referring to. Opinions don't help in these situations. |
Knight, I didn't say I was the expert in every category. However, on the kid, Lui, who wants to start a new FRATERNITY I noticed that all the women who were saying, "stay in your lane" had no problem chiming into his comments. Double standard much? I do have experience working with NALFO, NIC, NPC, and NPHC groups. I am not an expert in all areas, but I did put it out there that what I don't know, I can find out.
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Why does this feel like a reincarnation of that one guy who thought he could tell us which forums we could post on?
GC bends not to the will of a single poster. |
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